Did v. Richthofen Carry A Sidearm?

Being the avid hunter and sportsman that Manfred von Richthofen was, I have always been surprised that there has never been a mention of the Baron carrying a sidearm in the air. With his penchant for firearms and the very real possibility of being forced down behind the lines, I find it likely that he did carry a pistol of some sort. But as I said, I have never heard a word on the subject. Perhaps forum members could share anything they have heard on the subject. Thank you, James Thorne

Hi James!
According the all the recognised experts, MvR was NOT carrying a sidearm when shot down. It may be possible, however, that some enterprising Aussie soldier may have "souvenired" just such an item and not said anything about it. So many items from MvR's crash site went missing in such a short time, it may be possible that he was carring a pistol when shot down.
The late P.J. Carisella interviewed many Aussie soldiers who were at MvR crash site in 1918 and he found many who took a little "souv" home. At no time had any of these veterans mentioned a pistol. A ring, scarf, boots, wallet, belt, watch ....... all these were mentioned and went missing from the crash site, but no pistol. Sorry James, but I don't think that MvR was the type to carry a pistol, even though he had a genuine fear of burning, he would still have stayed with the a/c. As for landing behind enemy lines, well as he said, he had some 2,000 francs to help him escape. I think he may have reasoned that human greed was a more reliable key to escape than a gun.
Hope this helps
Les

[Barrett]

Norman Franks' recent book "The Red Baron's Last Mission," mentioned a Luger as one of the items taken from MvR's Tripe, including a set of binoculars and a belt. Presumably the pistol was stuck into the belt without a holster. Certainly a Luger made more sense than the presumed option: a Broomhandle Mauser. Wouldn't any museum lick its chops over Manfred's pistol and binoculars?

[Rittm]

Les,

Was there a description of the ring? Was it a man's or a woman's ring? I know I had my grandmother wedding ring, and I was just wondering if that was the ring they found.

Rittm